In the distance, a young lady clad in white held a pure white, spotless piglet in her arms. A rare mingling of surprise and joy flickered in her incomparably cold eyes.

Not far ahead of her, a gigantic Northern Frontier Snow Leopard snarled at the piglet, its eyes blazing with ferocity, as if ready to pounce at any moment and tear the little creature limb from limb.

Likewise, beside this Northern Frontier Snow Leopard, an elder with hair and beard as white as frost watched the piglet with uncertain suspicion. "Elder Yuan, you recognize this Spirit Beast?"

Seeing the affectionate interaction between Yuan Lixun and the Precious Pig, he naturally understood the two were acquainted, yet for several years, he couldn't recall when Yuan Lixun had ever crossed paths with this strange Spirit Beast.

Yuan Lixun turned her head, evading the Precious Pig’s persistent nudging with its snout, and smiled as she gently tapped the tip of its nose. "Elder Xu, this Spirit Beast is named Precious Pig. It is the Mountain Guarding Spirit Beast of the Tianchi lineage... We are indeed well acquainted."

As she spoke these words, even though Yuan Lixun cultivated the Cold Ice Heart Method, a hint of mirth surfaced in her heart.

The strength of the Precious Pig Spirit Beast was undeniable, acknowledged by all. However, its physique was simply too small. To forcibly bestow upon it the title of Mountain Guarding Spirit Beast—even thinking about it made her internally chuckle.

Xu Dongshan’s expression tightened. He quickly patted the snow leopard beside him and said solemnly, "This is a friend from the Tianchi lineage. Cease your commotion."

The snow leopard blinked its fierce, large eyes and let out a low growl from its throat.

Yuan Lixun approached the snow leopard while cradling the Precious Pig. She extended her wrist, as fair as snow, and gently began stroking the snow leopard’s head and neck.

Soon, much of the fierce hostility in the snow leopard's eyes receded.

Xu Dongshan sighed inwardly. In the Northern Frontier Ice Palace, those possessing the Deep Chill Physique certainly held a tremendous advantage; even the Mountain Guarding Spirit Beast looked upon her with special favor.

"Precious Pig didn't mean any harm, can you forgive it?" Yuan Lixun said softly.

The snow leopard huffed a few times and finally calmed its temper, the murderous aura in its eyes completely dissipating.

Although the snow leopard looked terrifying externally, after Xu Dongshan had calmed it for a good while, its temper had gradually settled.

This snow leopard naturally possessed extremely high intelligence. It knew this little fellow possessed an extraordinary background and could no longer be harmed. Although it felt quite vexed and realized that the score for that kick would likely remain unpaid, seeing the affectionate display between the Precious Pig and Yuan Lixun, it ultimately let go of the grudge.

Furthermore, Yuan Lixun's Deep Chill Physique made it feel quite comfortable; since she had personally interceded, it was only fitting to grant her face.

Yuan Lixun’s movements suddenly paused; the look of delight in her eyes intensified.

"Precious Pig, why are you here? Is He here?"

The Precious Pig puffed out its chest and nodded repeatedly in Yuan Lixun's hands. If it possessed human features, it would surely have looked perfectly sincere.

A violent surge finally stirred within Yuan Lixun’s heart. Since arriving at the Ice Palace, this was the first time she had felt such excitement.

A clear, sharp cry erupted from her lips. She was certain that He Yiming, upon hearing her call, would surely rush over.

Xu Dongshan’s brow furrowed slightly. This was the sacred ground of the Northern Frontier Ice Palace, yet Yuan Lixun's action was clearly summoning an outsider, which caused the elder a subtle, rising displeasure.

However, from beginning to end, he uttered no accusation, because the current Yuan Lixun was the foremost favorite within the Palace. The Sect Master favored her immensely, even bestowing upon her the Imitation Divine Artifact, the Ice Mirror, which the Ice Palace had painstakingly refined.

Although the elders of the Ice Palace had numerous reservations and unavoidable pangs of envy, absolutely no one dared to defy the Sect Master's command. Even someone like him, the second-in-command of the Ice Palace, was unwilling to create any unpleasantness with Yuan Lixun at this juncture.

Suddenly, all the hair on Xu Dongshan’s body stood on end. He felt two unusual forces abruptly manifest.

The instant this sensation struck, a white shadow flashed before his eyes.

Then, he saw a young man and a pure white steed—at some unknown time—standing right before them.

Xu Dongshan sucked in a deep, cold breath. He could not fathom how this person had arrived before him in utter silence.

The snow leopard immediately crouched low, its long fur standing erect like a giant porcupine, radiating a powerful, hostile aura.

Even this Spirit Beast sensed that the newly arrived pair—one human, one beast—was not to be trifled with.

He Yiming showed no reaction. The moment he saw Yuan Lixun, everything else vanished from his mind.

Before this reunion, he had imagined many scenarios: how would they behave upon this sudden meeting after years apart?

It was only at this moment that He Yiming truly felt the exuberance of his mood, his heart filled with something called happiness. He walked forward, extended his hand, and gently took hold of his own happiness.

It all happened so naturally, as if flowing effortlessly, without the slightest obstruction.

The Precious Pig grinned widely, snorting twice, about to seek praise from He Yiming, when it was suddenly grasped by He Yiming’s hand and tossed backward onto the back of the white horse, Lightning.

This little thing was indeed adorable usually, but at this moment, obstructing the space between them was decidedly an eyesore.

The Precious Pig rolled over on Lightning’s back, watching He Yiming and Yuan Lixun resentfully, but it wisely kept its mouth shut and stopped whining.

The snow leopard stood up straight in anger. This man had arrived and hadn't even given it a proper glance. Although his relationship with Yuan Lixun seemed close, such open disdain made the snow leopard resolve to teach the newcomer a lesson.

However, before it could utter a sound, it felt a pair of eyes, as deep as the sea, fixated upon it.

A mysterious chill swept through the snow leopard’s heart. It turned its gaze toward the white horse, Lightning.

Though the white horse showed no immediate signs of lightning crackling around it, as Spirit Beasts, their senses were significantly sharper than humans.

Vaguely, the snow leopard perceived the immense power contained within those eyes. This power stemmed not only from the white horse’s own strength but also from its bloodline.

When these two elements combined, they formed an overwhelming might that instilled fear in all Spirit Beasts without divine beast lineage.

Lowering its head, the snow leopard’s fur instantly returned to normal, lying down obediently. Even its previously arched body sank back down to the ground in submission.

This was the manner in which Spirit Beasts showed reverence to powerful beings far superior to themselves. It signified that the snow leopard no longer dared to oppose the white horse, Lightning.

The astonishment in Xu Dongshan’s eyes deepened.

He naturally understood the snow leopard’s strength. The power of Spirit Beasts generally surpassed that of human Venerables, and although they couldn't yet rival Great Venerables, the snow leopard’s status and strength ranked within the top five in the entire Ice Palace.

Yet, the snow leopard was now showing submission to a white horse, and this white horse had been brought in by the young man before him.

A terrifying thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

In his memory, the snow leopard had only ever shown submission to one other Spirit Beast: the Qilin Beast of the Totem Clan.

That supreme, top-tier Spirit Beast, universally acknowledged as not inferior to the peak of the Nine Heavens of the Human Dao, was the only one qualified to make the snow leopard yield without a fight.

But now, the snow leopard was repeating that action. Could this white horse be a powerful entity comparable to the Qilin Beast?

With this thought, a sheen of sweat broke out on the back of his neck.

He Yiming’s gaze finally shifted away from Yuan Lixun’s face, as she was the first to look away, unable to bear the burning intensity of his stare.

He felt an urge to laugh heartily, but with outsiders present, holding hands was already his limit; He Yiming would not engage in any unrestrained displays in public.

"Elder Xu, is that correct?" He Yiming asked calmly.

Xu Dongshan managed a composed smile. Though inwardly tumultuous, his surface revealed nothing unusual. "Indeed, it is this old man. May I ask, your esteemed identity is...?"

"He Yiming." Turning to glance at Yuan Lixun, He Yiming stated firmly, "He Yiming, Lixun’s husband."

A blush of deep crimson spread across Yuan Lixun's face. Despite having unexpectedly reached the Great Venerable realm through serendipity, she still struggled to maintain tranquility of mind upon hearing He Yiming’s words.

Whether it was the Deep Chill Art or the Ice Mirror, the paramount ice-element artifact capable of maintaining a heart as still as water—all became illusions in this moment, ceasing to exist.

Xu Dongshan opened his mouth. Given his status, he was certainly aware of Yuan Lixun’s background, so He Yiming’s origins were not entirely unknown to him.

However, looking at the spirited He Yiming now, his only thought was that this fellow’s martial cultivation must be far beyond that of an ordinary Venerable. Could it be that after the Palace Master and others helped Yuan Lixun advance to the Five Qi Great Venerable realm, they also protected this man while boosting his power?

In the distance, a faint voice drifted over smoothly.

"So it is Brother He who graces us with his presence. I apologize for not greeting you sooner. Lixun, invite Brother He into the Palace to meet."

This voice was not loud, but the moment it resonated throughout the Ice Palace, all other sounds vanished. The entire sky above the Ice Palace seemed enveloped in a strange atmosphere.

Yuan Lixun’s expression instantly recovered. "As the Sect Master commands."

With that, she lightly tried to pull her hand away, but He Yiming was unwilling to let go. Helplessly, Yuan Lixun bit her lip lightly, first apologizing to Xu Dongshan, then affectionately patting the snow leopard's neck. Only then did she whisper, "Follow me."

He Yiming chuckled, waving his hand grandly. The white horse Lightning and the Precious Pig naturally followed closely behind.

But Xu Dongshan and the Northern Frontier Snow Leopard were left standing stunned. They exchanged glances, both wondering if their ears had deceived them.

Ps: I hear there will be double monthly tickets starting tomorrow. Please, brothers and sisters, cast your monthly tickets for Bai He in these last three days, so that my forty thousand word update this month can achieve the recognition it deserves. Thank you...

Additionally, starting today until October 7th, I estimate I will be battling continuously for eleven days. Heh heh. During these eleven days, He Yiming will definitely advance to the Divine Dao.

For the sake of the Divine Dao, please vote for my monthly ticket starting tomorrow! ^_^